Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6O-03148

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make a long-term commitment to retain the Ardrossan-Brodick ferry service.

Question reference: S6W-25398

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the provision of shoreside recharging facilities for battery-powered ferries at harbours on the Clyde and Hebrides network.

The Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP) will see Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) procure up to 10 small vessels across two phases which will serve the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service network. This will provide modern, standardised vessels that are capable of as close to zero emission operation as possible.

As part of the programme, CMAL will undertake associated enabling works to the shore side infrastructure to provide suitable shore power supply for charging batteries onboard. The work is progressing in relation to the Port feasibility studies for the relevant projects and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks and Scottish Power are involved in carrying out feasibility studies for the shore side power availability.

Ministers are currently considering the outline business case for SVRP and an update will be provided once a decision on investment has been taken. Cold ironing (shore charging) projects associated with the new Islay vessels and Little Minch vessels are also underway ahead of their delivery.

Question reference: S6W-25224

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-24320 by Neil Gray on 19 January 2024, on what date it anticipates that it will report the outcomes from the business case and cost review exercise for upgrading Ardrossan Harbour.

I wrote to the Ardrossan Task Force on the 27 November 2023 to advise that the business case and cost review exercise for the Ardrossan Harbour project is currently being progressed. Transport Scotland and our project partners continue to make progress in the development of the business case and the updated cost estimate reviews with additional information expected in February. Once the business case review has been compiled, a meeting of the taskforce can be arranged, allowing the outcomes of the business case and cost exercise to be shared.

Question reference: S6W-25401

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the potential effect of the closure of the Irish Berth at Ardrossan Harbour on (a) ferry passenger groups and (b) CalMac staff.

It is for CalMac as operator of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service in the first instance to determine any actions that need to be taken in response to the closure of the Irish berth, maintaining safe links that the communities rely upon.

We understand and empathise with those affected and continue to impress upon Peel Ports Group and CalMac the urgency of the situation. Transport Scotland will continue to work with CalMac to monitor the ongoing impacts on all affected by the amended services and closure of the Irish Berth at Ardrossan.

Question reference: S6W-25400

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how regularly it receives updates from CMAL regarding the chartering of additional ferries for service on the Clyde and Hebrides network.

Question reference: S6W-25397

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many times the Ardrossan Harbour Task Force has met to date, and what any (a) staffing and (b) resource implications are for Transport Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-25226

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is taking steps to ensure that the annual payment of a dividend by Ardrossan Harbour Co Ltd to the parent company, Peel Ports, between 2017-18 and 2022-23 is considered as part of the revised business case for the Ardrossan Harbour upgrade.

Question reference: S6W-25222

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates that CalMac will begin crew familiarisation on the Glen Sannox.

Question reference: S6W-25225

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received (a) Peel Ports' and (b) North Ayrshire Council’s study of the (i) business case and (ii) cost review exercise for upgrading Ardrossan Harbour.

Question reference: S6W-25223

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 19 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-24320 by Neil Gray on 19 January 2024, what the most recent (a) total cost is of the contract for Hull (i) 801 and (ii) 802 and (b) projected operational date is for Hull 801.

The Chief Executive of Ferguson Marine provided the most recent costs for completion of the vessels to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee in September 2023.

The Chief Executive also informed the NZET Committee in January that the estimated total cost to complete both vessels was being reviewed and the outcome would be notified to the Committee and Scottish Government before 23rd February.

Following a period of berthing trials and crew familiarisation the MV Glen Sannox (Hull 801) is set to be operational eight weeks after handover. The handover date is also in the process of being revised by Ferguson Marine and we expect this to be notified with the updated forecast costs.